Team 6 cancellation


This morning, after talking with most of our coordinators, I reluctantly decided to cancel Team 6. Not an easy decision but a necessary one. It was not made lightly but necessary as I considered the wellbeing and safety of the volunteers as well as the efficacy of their presence at the clinic.


Last week, when I was in Carrefour, I saw this coming. When I returned to the States and looked at the make-up of Team 6, my concern was justified. In the past, we have sent teams with 3-4 skilled nurses. On three teams we had doctors. However, our volunteer list has dwindled and Team 6 had a single nurse. We cannot expect that person to care for 150-200 people who come to the clinic each day. It would be irresponsible. We have had some Haitian nurses work with us, but this week we have been able to find only one. The clinic right now has an American nursing student and a Haitian nurse. That's not acceptable.

Moreover, each team has had behind the scenes people—builders, fixers, people who can lift and carry things. Team 6 had none.

Our commitment to Carrefour has not changed. The need for a medical clinic continues to be great. We are working hard right now to reconstitute the clinic, probably not at the Guest House, which has outlived its usefulness. It is too large and too expensive. Dr. David Reed, Dr. Patty Jorquera, and nurse Ann Giuli are as committed to a clinic as we are. We all want to be thoughtful and pragmatic moving forward.

In the coming days, the coordinators will continue talking about exactly what to do next with regards to the clinic, developing a new supply chain, and especially taking real steps toward rebuilding the school.

Dave Desmarais, his son Peter, and Greg Wentworth, who are in Carrefour with Team 5, will relocate our equipment and medical supplies to safe storage in the new shed at the school. 

Let me close this entry by saying that all along we have needed to react to realities as they have presented themselves. Initially, it was the devastating earthquake and the immediate need to provide emergency care. Later, we responded by providing food as well. We shifted again when the situation on the ground stabilized and since have operated a health and wellbeing clinic. Today, we need to change again. One of the great strengths of our efforts has been our flexibility and agility. Although I cannot say exactly what our efforts will look like next week, we will keep our eye on our ultimate goal--rebuilding the school and having an associated clinic.